It was great to watch he, Thompson and Crabb play the pre-season games for the Aces. Don’t feel bad for them having to play in Alaska like it is some kind of sentence. They are all from Alaska, they have friends and family here that for once get to watch them play hockey at a professional level. And while yes the ECHL is a developmental league, it’s not like they were sent back to school leagues and pee wee leagues. Many up and coming players are cutting their teeth in the ECHL working their way to the higher leagues. Dubinsky, Thompson and Crabb are in good company playing in Alaska for the Aces, a 2 time Kelly Cup and 3 time Brabham Cup winning team. If you can’t play in the NHL, is it all that bad to go home hang out, play a little hockey and see your friends and family? It may not be the big paycheck, but after going to many games out of Alaska, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better and more energetic fan base who love their team, love their players and will cheer them on win or loose!